Please just go.
The distinct noise of a vibrating phone sounds from the bed.
I need to vomit.
Shit.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
It stops the second Reed frowns toward my pile of clothes, and I pull my own phone out as though it was mine buzzing.
“Cynda,” I claim, waving my phone. “Maybe Maddox is out front,” I suggest.
“Yeah, maybe,” Reed says, his brows furrowed. “Probably forgot his phone in the pool house.”
“Great. By the time you find him, I’ll be downstairs,” I say in an attempt to rush Reed out of the room.
“Yeah.” Reed is still frowning at the phone, yet he turns on his heel to leave anyway.
I don’t take another breath until my brother is finally down the hall and taking the stairs at the end. The instant he disappears, I quietly click the door shut and lock it.
Maddox throws the bedspread off at the sound of the latch.
“Son of a bitch,” he mutters.
“That was entirely too close,” I manage, my heart still pounding in my ears. “You have to go before he sees you coming down the outside stairs.”
Maddox meets me at the end of the bed. He slips his hands around my waist and neck, his lips landing upon mine for a kiss that almost has us falling onto the bed.
“I’ll finish this tonight,” he says as he releases me.
“I can hardly wait.”
He pauses at the door and glances back at me, and my resolve debilitates at the gleam in his eyes.
“Get out of here,” I tell him.
He twists the nob and starts out, though not before crossing the room once again to kiss me. I laugh into his mouth and grab his arms as he swings us off balance, my heart somersaulting at the eager embrace.
“Fuck, the next few hours are going to be painful,” he says.
“I think you can manage,” I reply.
“I don’t know. I might die from not touching you,” he argues.
I shove him slightly, almost rolling my eyes, though it doesn’t damper his grin. He kisses me again and then disappears out of the door before either of us can say to hell with this party.
I know he’s right.
Thisisgoing to be painful.
Out front, James is waiting for us. Bonnie and Zeb are already in the car, so I climb into the third row, feeling like a child as I do. Maddox starts to clamber in after, yet, Bonnie gets out of her seat to climb over the second row bench seat and sit beside me, teasing Maddox about his long legs when she does.
Maddox cracks his knuckles and thanks her, even if there is a strain in his voice.
I almost laugh at his disappointment.
The press party on the second floor of The Red Attic is already in full swing—to the point that it appears the band is late. I hang back with James as cameras flash in their faces, hoping to stay out of sight from any photos.
